LONDON: Alex Ferguson is excited at the possible potential of new signing Nick Powell after the youngster marked his Manchester United debut with a goal in the 4-0 win over Wigan at Old Trafford yesterday.

Coming on in the second half, the 18-year-old wasted no time to endear himself to the Red Devils supporters by firing a low drive from the edge of the box to cap off the emphatic victory.

And Ferguson hailed the instant impact, adding he believes there is a lot in store for Powell.

"He's going to be a really good player, the boy,” he told MUTV. “He's got two good feet and he can strike a ball.”

Powell confessed to being nervous ahead of his debut, but showed calmness and composure to sell the Wigan defence a dummy before burying his effort.

"I was a bit scared when I first stepped out! It was a great feeling to score,” he said.

United looked to have made the perfect start as referee Michael Oliver awarded a penalty for a foul by Al-Habsi on Danny Welbeck in the sixth minute.

However, Javier Hernandez's spot-kick was saved by the Oman international and it would take another 45 minutes before United finally opened the scoring, with Ferguson blaming a slow start on the penalty miss.

“It wasn't a great penalty," said Ferguson.

"It can affect you a little bit in the sense you think you're having a good start but have to start again.

"We had a lot of strikes on goal in the first half without scoring. Welbeck, in particular, had five strikes on goal.”

However, Wigan manager Roberto Martinez was furious with the decision to award a penalty, adamant that Al-Habsi had made no contact with Welbeck, and was critical of a refereeing performance that favored the hosts.

"Welbeck dived, he dived for the penalty, you'll see it on the replay,” said Martinez.

“The penalty was as bad a decision as you're going to see. It is a shocking decision, in many ways you find yourself fighting against a mountain.

"I've come to United three times now, we've had three players sent off, we just never seem to be measured in the same manner.

"Welbeck's last challenge was over the top of the ball, it was reckless, it's dangerous, it's a red card."

- mD

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